InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced on August 26, 2026, a deal to convert 14 hotels in Kyoto, Japan, into its branded properties. The portfolio comprises 1,063 rooms and includes 12 Garner hotels, one Holiday Inn Express, and one unbranded hotel.
All 14 hotels are situated in key districts across Kyoto, close to major transport hubs and prominent cultural and tourism sites, ensuring guests easy access to the city’s attractions. GCP Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Gaw Capital Group, has been appointed to manage this expanded portfolio. Garner, a midscale conversion brand launched by IHG three years ago, recently marked its
100th hotel globally, reflecting rapid growth that this deal will further support.
IHG’s existing Kyoto portfolio includes Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo, Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, and Six Senses Kyoto. This new acquisition strengthens IHG’s position in Kyoto’s hotel market, which has historically been dominated by domestic operators, positioning the group as a larger international player in the city.
Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director for Japan and Micronesia at IHG Hotels & Resorts and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, said the transaction “demonstrates the growing interest from owners to rebrand hotels and benefit from quick
access to IHG’s leading enterprise, including our marketing, technology and distribution platforms, and the scale of IHG One Rewards globally.” The deal enhances offerings for IHG One Rewards members across Japan.
The 14 hotels will undergo phased renovations and rebranding over the next 12 months, with openings planned shortly thereafter that will make them available for booking through IHG One Rewards. This conversion deal is one of the largest hotel transactions in Japan in recent years and broadens IHG’s market coverage across midscale and upper-scale segments in Kyoto.
